“Listen, I don’t need a damn babysitter,” she stated with a bit more attitude than she intended.
Just then, Dalton walked in. He glared at her as if he had heard her tone and for some odd reason she felt intimidated. He always looked so damn angry. Did the man know how to smile? And that scar of his made him look hard and intense. He wore it well, though, like a pirate with a black patch over his eye.
“Hey, we’re not here to babysit you, as you called it. We stopped in to see Lena, Anna, Stacy, and you to discuss the schedule for offering self-defense classes here at the rec center,” Hank replied.
She took a deep breath and felt guilty for accusing him of something he hadn’t done. She was on edge, and now would be as good a time as any to ask for the help.
“I’m sorry.” She looked down toward the ground then back up into Hank’s eyes. Now Dalton stood next to his brother, and Dalton just stared at her.
“I’m a bit on edge. I know everyone is concerned and I have a lot going on in m
y head. I’m sorry.”
“That’s understandable.” Hank gave her a small smile. She noticed how bright his blue eyes were and also the slight dimple in his left cheek.
“I’m actually glad that you’re here, Hank,” she began after staring at him for an awkward few moments.
And Dalton raised his eyebrows at her as if he were offended that he wasn’t included in that “glad you’re here” sentence. Deep inside, she was happy to see them both. What woman wouldn’t like a visit from two big, strong, sexy cowboys? But she had a plan here that needed to be set in motion.
“I was hoping to talk with you about me taking a different class at your dojo.”
“Well, that’s a definite, or you’d be bored in the class you’re in now,” Hank stated with a small smile. “Well, actually, I had an idea and was hoping that you could maybe train me like you train the law enforcement and military around town.”
“What? Why?” Dalton asked, interrupting her conversation with Hank. His voice was deep and firm and she actually shuddered from it.
She felt her cheeks warm and she placed her hand on the ladder for a bit of support.
“What exactly is going on in that head of yours, Millie?” Hank asked.
“I’m interested in that type of training.”
“No, you’re thinking that those detectives aren’t going to locate this guy Frank in New York and that he’s going to come here to Pearl,” Dalton stated and Hank looked at his brother and then back at Millie.
“Will you help me or not?” she asked.
“You’re a beautiful young woman, why would you want to learn such things?” Dalton asked.
“Listen, I don’t need to explain myself to you.” She attempted to walk away, but Dalton blocked her path and grabbed her wrist. She froze in place as she looked up into his mean, green eyes.
“That’s where you’re wrong. You need a damn good reason to get that type of training and ‘for self-defense’ isn’t good enough.”
She clenched her fists despite his hold on her one wrist.
She glared up at him. “How about for survival? Would that be good enough reason, Dalton? Maybe because I’ve been abused and nearly killed by the man before and I’m scared of him and I’m tired of being a victim!” She shook with emotion. The man surely got under her skin.
He released her wrist and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“I don’t think you know what this type of training entails, Millie. This isn’t like in the movies, where you learn things in one try. We don’t take it easy on our students male or female. We teach survival and the principle of ‘kill or be killed’ as the final and last resort.”
“You’re not military and you’re not law enforcement,” Hank added.
“I just want to be better trained and somewhat prepared if they don’t catch Frank in New York. I know you offer the training, but if you’re not willing to help me, then I suppose I’ll be forced to look elsewhere. I’ve already looked up a few places in Turbank and farther south.”
They were both silent a moment and then Hank spoke. “Come to the dojo tomorrow at seven.”
“Okay,” she whispered as Hank and Dalton exited the building.
Millie released a long sigh and shook with fear she had been desperately trying to hide. That hadn’t gone as badly as she feared it might have. They could have downright refused her.